The Buddha of Suburbia

Tour synopsis, cast & creatives

South London in the late seventies. High unemployment, high inflation, food shortages and strikes. But despite the winter of discontent, 17-year-old Karim's life is about to explode into glorious technicolour as he navigates a path to enlightenment. Or at the very least, Beckenham. Emma Rice adapts the award-winning 1990 novel, which was later turned into an acclaimed TV series, with Hanif Kureishi. On stage it becomes an irresistible, heart-breaking and joyful exploration of family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging.

Cast/Performers

Dee Ahluwalia (Karim), Ankur Bahl (Haroon), Raj Bajaj (Changez), Tommy Belshaw (Charlie / Shadwell), Natasha Jayetileke (Jamila), Bettrys Jones (Margaret / Eleanor), Simon Rivers (Anwar / Uncle Ted), Ewan Wardrop (Matthew Pyke), Deven Modha (Off Stage Cover), Lucy Thackeray (Eva)

Creatives/Company

Book by: Hanif Kureishi
Adapted by: Emma Rice (with Hanif Kureishi)
Presented by(s): Royal Shakespeare Company, Wise Children
Director: Emma Rice
Design: Rachana Jadhav
Costume: Vicki Mortimer
Sound: Simon Baker
Lighting: Jai Morjaria